Notice is hereby given that the Draft Maintenance Management Plan (MMP) for the Sasol Gas, Springs Olifantsfontein Pipeline (SOP), in Springs is available for public review and comment. The Draft MMP will be available for review and comment for a period of 30 days from 4 June 2026 – 6 July 2026.
Sasol Gas engages in numerous activities to maintain the integrity of the existing gas pipelines infrastructure network. The SOP transports natural gas between Springs and Olifantsfontein and has been in continuous operation since 1981. An integrity assessment of the SOP was previously undertaken using In-Line Inspection technology, commonly referred to as pigging. This process involved deploying various pigging tools throughout the pipeline to detect, locate, and characterise potential abnormalities such as metal loss and dents, with the aim of evaluating the pipeline’s mechanical integrity. Although the overall pigging campaign (geometry inspection) on the SOP was successful, pigging on a section of the SOP was unsuccessful due to mechanical damage sustained by some of the inspection tools. To facilitate a successful future pigging operation, it was recommended that Sasol undertake a direct assessment of the pipeline. This MMP therefore specifically relates to the undertaking of a direct assessment (involving dig-up) verification of a section of the SOP in order to obtain detailed information on certain attributes of the pipeline, which will inform decision-making regarding potential sectional repairs and the feasibility of future pigging operations on the SOP. Activities will be located within or in close proximity to watercourses and within Critical Biodiversity Areas.
This section of the SOP transverses within the farm properties of Modderfontein 76 IR, (Remaining Portion of Portion 3) and Geduld 123 IR (Portion 116), in Springs, within the Gauteng Province. The section of the SOP pipeline requiring maintenance is located next to the R51 on the south-western side of Dersley, Springs, within the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality.
Copies of the draft MMP have been made available at the following places for review:
- Springs Library (55 5th Avenue, Springs (Corner of Plantation & South Main Reef Road)); and
- SRK’s website.
Stakeholders are invited to submit written comments and substantiated issues on or before 6 July 2026. In order to allow the EAP sufficient time to address concerns comprehensively, early submissions are encouraged.
